Author:Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Source:His book Tanbeehaat alaa Ahkaam takhtassu bil-Mu'minaat (pg. 62-67)
Translator: Isma'eel Alarcon


Fasting the month of Ramadaan is an obligation on every male and female Muslim, and it is one of the pillars and great foundations of Islaam. Allaah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you may attain Taqwaa." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 183] The word "kutiba" (prescribed) here means "furida" obligated. So when the young girl reaches the age in which she will be held accountable for her actions, by having one of the signs of puberty become apparent in her, among which is menstruation, then the obligation of fasting begins for her. She could begin menstruating as early as when she is nine years old. However, some young girls are not aware that they are required to begin fasting at that point, so she doesn't fast thinking that she is too young, nor do her parents order her to fast. This is a great negligence, for one of the pillars of Islaam is being abandoned. If this occurs to any woman, she is obligated to make up for the days of fasting that she abandoned since the point when she began menstruating, even if a long time has passed since that time, for it remains in her obligations.

Who is obligated to fast Ramadaan?

When the month of Ramadaan comes, every male and female Muslim that (1) has reached the age of puberty, is (2) healthy and (3) a resident (i.e. not traveling) is obligated to fast. And whoever is sick or traveling during the month, may break the fast and make up the number of days missed on other days. Allaah says: "So whoever sights the (moon indicating the beginning of the) month, then he must fast. And whoever is sick or on a journey, then (he may break the fast and instead fast) the number of days missed on other days." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185] Likewise, whoever enters into Ramadaan and he is very old and not able to fast or has a chronic illness, which does not expect to be cured any specific time - whether male or female - may break the fast and instead feed a needy person half a saa' (four handfuls) of the food from that people's land for every day missed. Allaah says: "And as for those who can fast (but) with difficulty, they (may break their fast and) feed a needy person." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 184] Ibn 'Abbaas (raa) said: "This ayah is for the old man of whom it is not anticipated that he will be cured." [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree] And the sick person of whom it is not hoped that he will be cured from his sickness falls under the ruling of the old person. And he does not have to make up the missed days because of his inability to fast.

A woman is specified with certain excuses that permit her to break the fast in Ramadaan, on the condition that she makes up the days she missed fasting due to these excuses on other days. These excuses are:

1. Menstrual and Postpartum Bleeding:
A woman is forbidden from fasting while she is in these two conditions. And she is obligated to make up these missed days of fasting on other days. This is based on what is reported in the two Saheeh collections from 'Aa'isha (raa) who said: "We were ordered to make up the (missed) days of fasting but we were not ordered to make up the (missed) prayers." She gave this answer when a woman asked her: "Why does a menstruating woman have to make up the (missed days of) fasting and not have to make up the (missed) prayers?" So she (raa) clarified that this is from the matters dependent on revelation, which must comply with the reported texts.

As for the wisdom behind that, then Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah said in "Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa" (15/251): "The blood that comes out of the woman because of menstruation has a discharge of blood in it. A menstruating woman can fast in times other than when the blood that comes out of her due to menstruation contains her blood. So her fasting in this situation is a moderate and balanced fast - no blood, which strengthens the body and which is its main substance - comes out of her during these times. But her fasting when she is menstruating necessitates that her blood come out during this time - the blood, which is the main component of her body and which will lead to a weakness and deficiency in her body. And this will necessitate that her fast not be that of a moderate and balanced nature. So that is why she is commanded to fast in times when she is not menstruating."

2. Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding:
If because of fasting there is harm caused to the woman or the baby or to both of them, then she may break the fast while she is pregnant or breastfeeding. But if the harm for which reason she is breaking her fast only applies to her baby and not her, then she must make up for the days she missed of fasting and feed a needy person for each day missed. And if the harm only applies to herself, then it is sufficient for her to only make up the missed days. This is based on the pregnant woman and breastfeeding woman falling under the generality of Allaah's saying: "And for those who can fast (but) with difficulty, they (may break their fast) and instead feed a needy person." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 184]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer (1/379): "Amongst those who fall into the meaning of this ayah are the pregnant and breastfeeding women if they fear for themselves or for their children." And Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah said: "If a pregnant woman fears for her fetus, then she may not fast and instead make up each day of fasting that was missed on other days and feed a needy person around 2 kilograms of bread." [Majmoo'-ul-Fatawaa: 25/318]

Important Notes:

1. Istihaadah (Irregular Bleeding):
This is the condition in which a woman has blood come out of her, which is not her menstrual blood. She must observe the fast and it is not permissible for her to break her fast because of this type of bleeding. When mentioning the allowance of the menstruating woman of breaking her fast, Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: "This is contrary to the woman in the state of Istihaadah, for this state comprises an unfixed period of time, and there is not a time in it in which she can be commanded to begin fasting (again). So because of this, it is not possible to caution against it, the same as for throwing up unexpectedly, emitting blood due to a wound, getting a boil, Ihtilaam (when sexual fluid comes out of the private parts not due to intercourse or foreplay), as well as all the other things that do not have a fixed time in which they could be cautioned against. So this (Istihaadah) was not made as something that nullifies the fast, such as the blood of menstruation." [Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa: 25/251]

2. The Menstruating woman as well as the pregnant and breastfeeding women, if they break their fast in Ramadaan, must make up for the missed days of fasting in the time that occurs between the Ramadaan in which they broke their fast and the forthcoming Ramadaan. But to complete them early is better. And if there only remain a few days before the next Ramadaan begins, then they are obligated to make up the missed days of fasting (from the previous Ramadaan) such that the new Ramadaan will not come upon them while they still have to fast days from the previous Ramadaan. But if they don't do this and Ramadaan comes upon them while they still owe days of fasting from the previous Ramadaan, and they have no (valid) excuse for delaying it, they are obligated to make up the missed days and to feed a needy person for each day. But if they have a valid excuse, then they must only make up the missed days of fasting. This goes the same for those who must make up the missed days of fasting due to sickness or traveling. Their ruling is like the ruling of the woman who broke the fast due to menses, with the previously mentioned details.

3. It is not permissible for a woman to observe a recommended fast if her husband is present unless she has his permission. This is based on what Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim and others have reported from Abu Hurairah (raa) that the Prophet (saws) said: "It is not permissible for a woman to fast while her husband is present except with his permission." In some narrations of the hadeeth in Ahmad and Abu Dawood, there occurs the wording "...except Ramadaan." But if the husband permits her to observe a recommended fast or he is not present around her or if she doesn't have a husband, then it is encouraged for her to observe this recommended day of fasting. This is especially for the days in which it is recommended to fast such as Mondays and Thursdays, three days in every month, six days in Shawaal, the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of 'Arafah and the Day of 'Aashooraa along with the day before or after it. However, she should not observe a recommended fast while she owes days to make up for (the previous) Ramadaan, until she first makes up these missed days and Allaah knows best.

4. If a menstruating woman stops bleeding during the day in Ramadaan, she must begin her fasting for the remainder of the day but still make it up with the days that she didn't fast because of menses. Her fasting for the remainder of the day in which she stops bleeding is an obligation on her out of respect for the time (i.e. Ramadaan).

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Vocabulary of Islaamic Terms and Sayings

Here are some words to help you when you are browsing Islaamic sites. All of the words may have different ways of translitteration eventhough only one way is mentioned in this list. Many words have several meanings and all the meanings are not necessarily mentioned in this list.

If you would like to learn how to read Arabic - please refer to the following:
Arabic Language Resources

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |


A
Abd Servant. Example: Abd-Allaah (servant of Allaah)
Aakhirah The Here-After.
Aashura The tenth day of Muharram. It is a sunnah to fast on the ninth and tenth days of Muharram.
Aalim A knowledgeable person or (religious) scholar
Adhaan Call to prayer.
Adhkar Plural of dhikr
Ahl-ul-Kitaab "People of the Book" - meaning Jews and Christians
Alhamdulillaah All praise belongs to Allaah.
Allaah God in Arabic. This word is singular, it has no plural.
Allaahu akbar Allaah is the Most Great.
Ansaar Supporters. The Muslims of Madeenah who helped and supported the Muslim migrants from Makkah.
'Aqeedah Belief, doctrine
As-Salaamu 'alayfrkum Peace be upon you. Islamic greeting.
'Asr Afternoon (prayer)
Astaghfirullaah I seek forgiveness of Allaah.
A'uudhu bi-Llaahi min ash-Shaytaani ar-Rajiim I seek refuge from Allah from the outcast Satan.
Ayah
sign, proof, evidence, lesson (singular form). Used to refer to the verses of Quraan.
Awrah Parts of the body that should be covered.


B
Baatil Falsehood
Barakah Blessings
Barzakh The barrier between the life on earth and the life after
Bid'ah Innovation
Birr Righteousness, kindness, good treatment.
Bismillaah In the name of God
Bismillaahi ar-Rahmaani ar-Rahiim In the name of God, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful


C


D
Dajjaal (literally "liar") Antichrist
Daleel Evidence
Da'wah Call. Inviting people to Islaam.
Dhikr Remembrance of Allaah. (by reciting Qur'aan, making du'aa..)
Deen Religion
Du'aa Supplication
Duha Forenoon (optional prayer performed at midmorning)
Dunya This world


E

Eid Festival. Muslims have two occasions of Eid: Eid al-Fitr after Ramadaan and Eid al-Adhaa 10th of Dhul-Hijjah.


F
Faqiih a person who is an expert on Islamic jurisprudence, fiqh.
Fajr Dawn.
Fard Obligatory
Fatwa Ruling given by a scholar.
Fiqh Islamic jurisprudence
Fitnah Temptation, civil strife, riots
Fitrah The natural state of man, which is Islaam.


G

Ghusl Greater ablution.


H

Haafidh Person who has memorized the Quraan by heart.
Hadeeth Report of a saying or action of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Examples of hadeeth collections:
Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Saheeh Muslimsahih muslim
Hadeeth Qudsi (literally scared hadeeth) A hadeeth containing words of Allaah that were narrated by the Prophet, sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, but which do not form part of the Qur'aan
Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah.
Halaal Any action that is permitted, lawful.
Haraam Anything forbidden, unlawful.
Hijaab Often used to mean the headscarf of a Muslim Woman yet it refers to all of the covering clothing.
Hijrah Emigration.
Hira The cave in which Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam received the first revelation.


I

Ibaadah All acts of worship.
Iblees Satan.
Iddah "Waiting period", usually three menstrual cycles, which a divorced woman must observe before she is free to remarry. Purpose is to find out possible pregnancy.
Iftaar Breaking the fast
Ihraam State or condition entered when going to Hajj. Refers also to the clothing worn during Hajj.
Ijmaa Consensus of scholars.
Imaam Leader of prayer.
Imaan Faith.
Iqaamah Call to prayer; similar to the adhaan but iqaamah is given immediately before the prayer.
Ishaa Evening (prayer).
Isnaad Chain of transmitters (of a hadeeth)
Itikaaf Seclusion or spiritual retreat. It was the custom of the Prophet, sallaahu alayhi wa sallam, to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in seclusion, concentrating on prayer and worship.
Izaar A sheet worn below the waist to cover the lower-half of the body.


J
J
Jaahiliyyah Time of ignorance (in the pre-Islamic era in Arabia)
Jahannam Hell
Jama'aah Group or congregation.
Janaazah Funeral
Jannah Paradise
Jazaak Allaahu khayran May Allaah reward you with good (used instead of thank you)
Jibreel Angel Gabriel
Jihaad Struggling
Jinn What is a jinn?
Jumu'ah Friday (prayer)


K

Kaabah A cube-shaped structure in the center of masjid al-haraam in Makkah.
Kaafir Disbeliever
Khimar A piece of cloth with which a woman covers her head and neck area.
Khuff leather socks
Khushoo' Humility before Allaah.
Khutbah Speech / sermon.
Kufr Disbelief, rejection of the truth.
Kunyah Calling someone "father of so-and-so" or "mother of so-and-so"


L

Laylat al-Qadr The "Night of Power", one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadaan. It is not known precisely which night it is. The Quraan describes it as "better than a thousand months"

M
MaashaAllaah "What Allaah wills"
Maghrib Sunset (prayer)
Mahr Bridal money given by the husband to the wife at the time of marriage
Mahram A person with whom a woman cannot marry and she does not need to wear hijaab in front of him.
Makkah City where Kaabah is located. Muslims pray five times a day towards Kaabah.
Makrooh Disliked.
Masjid Mosque
Miswaak A tooth brush made of Arak-tree roots.
Mu'adhin Caller to prayer. The first caller to prayer was Bilaal.
Muhaajir One of the early Muslims who migrated to Madeenah in the lifetime of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Mu'min Believer
Munaafiq Hypocrite, one who pretends to believe in Islaam, but does not.
Mushrik Polytheist, one who associates others in worship with Allaah.
Muslim One who has submitted himself/herself to God.
Mustahabb Recommended.


N

Nabi Prophet
Neeyah Intention
Niqaab Veil that covers the face of a woman.


O
P

Q

Qadi A muslim judge.
Qawwaam Protector, maintainer.
Qadr Divine pre-decree
Qiblah Prayer direction.
Qur'aan The divine book revealed to Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam


R
Ramadaan The month of fasting, ninth month of Islaamic Calendar.
Rasuulullaah Messenger of Allaah
Riba Interest (forbidden in Islaam)


S

Sabr Patience
Sadaqah Voluntary charity.
Sahaabah Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Saheeh With reference to hadiths: sound, authentic.
Salaah Prayer (see Prophet's Prayer Described prophet's prayer)
Salaf Predecessors (as-Salafus as-Saalih - the Righteous Predecessors)
Sawm Fasting
Seerah Biography; specifically that of the Prophet, sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Shahaadah Testimony of faith
Sharee'ah Islaamic Law
Shaytaan Satan, Devil.
Shirk Associating partners to Allaah (worst sin in Islaam)
Siwaak A small stick which comes from a specific tree and is used as a toothbrush.
SubhaanaAllaah "Glorified is Allaah"
Sunnah Model of practices, customs and traditions found in the ahadeeth.
Suurah Chapter in the Qur'aan


T
Tabarruj Wanton display, flaunting oneself in contradiction to the Islaamic rulings on dress and modest behaviour.
Tafsiir Explanation (of the Qur'aan). See Tafseer ibn Katheer
tafsir ibn kathir
Tahajjud Voluntary prayer that is performed at night between the times of Ishaa and Fajr.
Tajweed Correct recitation of Quraan, following precise rules of pronunciation and articulation.
Takbir Saying "Allaahu akbar".
Tawheed Monotheism - Oneness of Allaah.


U

Ulamaa Scholars (plural)
Ummah Community.
Umrah Lesser pilgrimage, can be performed any time of the year - greatest reward during Ramadaan.


V

W
Waajib Obligatory, compulsory.
Wali Legal guardian. Protector.
Wudhu Ablution (before prayer).

X

Y
Yawm 'Arafaah The 9th day of the Islaamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. In the most essential part of hajj, the pilgrims spend this day standing and praying at Arafaah, a mountain and plain outside Makkah. Muslims who are not on Hajj may observe this sacred day by fasting (optional but encouraged).

Z
Zakat Obligatory alms/charity.
Zam-Zam The sacred well inside the Haram (grand mosque) at Makkah.

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Different types of Hijab / Vocabulary

Please note that the use of these terms varies from area to area and sometimes even among sisters in the same area! The aim is to give a basic idea about the names insha'Allaah. Images are from Islamic Boutique .

One-Piece Dresses

head style abayaThe Saudi Abayah is probably the most famous example of a one piece hijaab / outer garment. It covers a woman from head to toe. The most common colour for this dress is black. It can also be called " head-style " abaya as it comes down from your head.

Many sisters prefer this type of dress as it is very simple and easy to use. And it gives you full coverage.

There is also a one-piece dress similar to the saudi abayah - it comes down from the head but from the front it looks as if it has two pieces.

Two-Piece Dresses

This guide calls an outfit with an overcoat and a headcovering a two-piece dress.

Overcoats

jilbabJilbab - this is and overcoat with buttons or zipper in the front (half-way or all the way down). This is the most common type outer-garment among Muslim Women all over the world.
[please note that in the Shopping Section of Muslimah Connection there are housedresses that are called jilbabs - do not mix them with this outer-garment!]

Djellaba - these are common in Morocco. Unlike Jilbab, it does not have buttons or zipper, it is pulled over your head. It has a hood. There are models both for men and women.

Abaya - abayas exist both as head-style abayas (as above) and shoulder-style abayas. Shoulder-style abayas come down from your shoulders. It can have velcro closure on the shoulder. It can be also without any closures - closed from the front and it is pulled over the head like djellaba.

There are other styles too that are common in specific countries but the above mentioned overcoats are common among Muslim Women all-over the world.

Headscarves
hijaab square scarf

Hijab, hijaab, hejab - this word is commonly used of the headscarf of a Muslim Woman. But actually it refers to the whole dress. Usually it is used to refer to the square scarf.





hood khimar



Khimar - Sometimes used to refer to any headscarf but in many online stores especially this word refers to a long, cape-shaped "scarf" / headcover. Usually these cape scarves come with a small under scarf. Lenght varies from waist till ankles.







Al-Amira - Two-piece head covering (sometimes the part covering forehead is attached to the "hood" part, this is better as underscarf or for children), shorter than a khimar. This one is very good for children. Sometimes it has a lace/embroidery at the edge. Al-Amira without a lace is sometimes called buknuk.



shaylaShayla - a long rectangular shape scarf.

Face-covers

niqaab

Niqaab - this word is used when refering to almost any type of face-veil. Some use this word when talking about the half-face veil. The half-face niqaab is worn under the scarf if it has an elastic band. It can also have ties, snaps or velcro closure.

Boushiya - covers all the face. Some models have layers that can be lifted.

Burqa - sometimes means same thing as the above. Burqa can also refer specifically to the Afghan Burqa that covers everything (head, face, hands..).

You can also wrap your square or shayla scarf so that it covers your face.
Home | Abou

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PLURAL NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES





If you've been paying attention, you will have noticed that we've already discussed plural verbs, but not plural nouns, until now. That's because in Arabic they can be a bit tricky sometimes.

In English you usually add an -S or an -ES to the end of the word to make it plural. For example: student/students, rabbit/rabbits, dictionary/dictionaries.

In Arabic, however, there are different endings for masculine and feminine plural nouns and adjectives. And Arabic makes an important distinction between nouns for people and nouns which are for things. "Human" and "Non-human."

We'll start with feminine nouns, because they are generally the easiest. Most feminine nouns that end with the sound -AH (the taa marbuuah) make their plurals by simply adding the ending -AAT. This includes any nouns for women, and also many feminine nouns for things.

Feminine Human Nouns
aalibah/aalibaat = student/s (f.)
ustaathah/ustaathaat = professor/s (f.)
tilmiithah/tilmiithaat = pupil/s (f.)
abiibah/abiibaat = doctor/s (f.)
jaddah/jaddaat = grandmother/s
ukht/akhawaat = sister/s
bint/banaat = girl/s

Feminine Non-Human Nouns
jaamicah/jaamicaat = university/ies
wilaayah/wilaayaat = state/s
sayyaarah/sayyaaraat = car/s
aawilah/aawilaat = table/s
kalimah/kalimaat = word/s
lughah/lughaat = language/s
sanah/sanawaat = year/s
maktabah/maktabaat = library/ies or bookstore/s

But there are some exceptions: Some feminine nouns don't form the plural with a regular -AAT ending, and the plurals must be memorized, such as these words you know:

jariidah/jaraa'id = newspaper/s
madrasah/madaaris = school/s
madiinah/mudun = city/ies
ghurfah/ghuraf = room/s
shaqqah/shiqaq = apartment/s

The masculine human plural ending is -UUN or -IIN. When you're writing, you need to know which form to use. (It has to do with the grammar, that is, how the word is used in the sentence.) But when speaking, most Arabs are only going to use the -IIN ending. In Egypt, for example, they don't ever use the -UUN ending in regular, daily speech.

Nouns starting with MU- usually take these regular human plural endings, for example:

Mudarrisah/Mudarrisaat = teacher/s (f)
Mudarris/Mudarrisuun or Mudarrisiin = teacher/s (m)

Muhandisah/Muhandisaat = engineer/s (f)
Muhandis/Muhandisuun or Muhandisiin = engineer/s (m)

Mudiirah/Mudiiraat = director/s (f)
Mudiir/Mudiiruun or Mudiiriin = director/s (m)

Muslimah/Muslimaat = Muslim/s (f)
Muslim/Muslimuun or Muslimiin = Muslim/s (m)

Also, those adjectives that end with -ii, formed from the names of countries, take these regular plural endings when they are used to describe people:

Sacuudii/Sacuudiyyuun or -iin = Saudi/s (m)
Sacuudiyyah/Sacuudiyyaat = Saudi/s (f)

cIraqii/cIraqiyyuun or -iin = Iraqi/s (m)
cIraqiyyah/cIraqiyyaat = Iraqi/s (f)

Lubnaanii/Lubnaaniyyuun or -iin = Lebanese (m)
Lubnaaniyyah/Lubnaaniyyaat = Lebanese (f)

Mirii/Miriyyuun or -iin = Egyptian/s (m)
Miriyyah/Miriyyaat = Egyptian/s (f)

Suudaanii/Suudaaniyyuun or -iin = Sudanese (m)
Suudaaniyyah/Suudaaniyyaat = Sudanese (f)

Amriikii/Amriikiyyuun or -iin = American/s (m)
Amriikiyyah/Amriikiyyaat = American/s (f)

If there's a group of people including both men and women, then you just use the masculine plural form to refer to all of them.

In English there are all those weird plurals that you just have to learn. And they can be very confusing for people who are learning English for the first time. If English is not your native language, or you have friends from different countries who are learning English, then you know what I mean. The plural of "Mouse" is "Mice" not "Mouses," but the plural of "House" is not "Hice" but "Houses." The plural of "Goose" is "Geese," but the plural of "Moose" is not "Meese," it's "Moose"--the same as the singular. Why? Because English is a wonderful language. And Arabic is also a wonderful language....

Many nouns in Arab have plurals that don't fit the -AAT/-UUN patterns. When you're learning your vocabulary words, you have to memorize the plural form of the nouns and adjectives along with the singular. Here are some words you already know, along with their plurals. You can probably tell that there are some patterns for the plurals, changes that happen with the syllables and vowels--see if you can pick them out. But you still have to memorize which one goes with which noun.

Masculine Human Nouns
aalib/ullaab = student/s (m)
tilmiith/talaamithah = pupil/s (m)
ustaath/asaatithah = professor/s (m)
walad/awlaad = boy/s
jadd/ajdaad = grandfather/s
ibn/abnaa' = son/s
akh/ikhwah = brother/s

Masculine Non-Human Nouns
bayt/buyuut = house/s
dars/duruus = lesson/s
fal/fuuul = season/s
shahr/shuhuur = month/s
baab/abwaab = door/s
ism/asmaa' = name/s
qalam/aqlaam = pen/s
yawm/ayyaam = day/s
asad/usud = lion/s
kitaab/kutub = book/s
shaaric/shawaaric = street/s
macam/maaacim = restaurant/s
arnab/araanib = rabbit/s
daftar/dafaatir = notebook/s
kursii/karaasii = chair/s
maktab/makaatib = office/s or desk/s
miftaa/mafaatii = key/s
qaamuus/qawaamiis = dictionary/ies
usbuuc/asaabiic = week/s


Here are a few practice sentences using plural subjects with the plural verb forms you already know:

Al-Muhandisuun yacmaluun fii Philadelphia.
The engineers work in Philly.

A-ullaab yadrusuun fii Jaamicat Pennsylvania.
The students study at the University of Pennsylvania

Al-Asaatitha yudarrisuun al-lughah al-cArabiyyah.
The professors teach the Arabic language.


Plural Nouns and Adjectives
Remember how adjectives work with nouns. They follow the noun, and they also have to be the same gender as the noun they describe. Also if the noun is definite, then the adjective must be definite too. Now you will learn that adjectives have to agree with the nouns they describe in a third way: in number.

As mentioned above, Arabic makes an important distinction between nouns for people and nouns which are for things. "Human" and "Non-human." Human plurals take plural adjectives. For the feminine ones, again, you just add the suffix "-AAT." For the masculine ones you usually just add "-UUN" or "-IIN," but some irregular ones just have to be memorized. Now here's the tricky part: non-human plurals, in Arabic, are considered to be feminine singular, so you use the feminine singular adjective with them. Let's practice. Look at these examples changing the singular nouns and adjectives to plural ones:

mudiir muhimm = an important m. director
mudiiruun muhimmuun = important directors
mudiirah muhimmah = an important f. director
mudiiraat muhimmaat = important f. directors

jariidah muhimmah = an important newspaper
jaraa'id muhimmah = important newspapers

aalib jadiid = a new m. student
aalibah jadiidah = a new f. student
ullaab judud = new students
aalibaat jadiidaat = new f. students
a-aalib al-jadiid = the new student
a-ullaab al-judud = the new students

mudarris Mirii = a m. Egyptian teacher
mudarrisuun Miriyyuun = Egyptian teachers
al-mudarris al-Mirii = the Egyptian teacher
al-mudarrisuun al-Miriyyuun = the Egyptian teachers

bint jamiilah = a beautiful girl
banaat jamiilaat = beautiful girls
al-bint al-jamiilah = the beautiful girl
al-banaat al-jamiilaat = the beautiful girls

kitaab sahl = an easy book
kutub sahlah = easy books
al-kitaab as-sahl = the easy book
al-kutub as-sahlah = the easy books

baab aghiir = a small door
abwaab aghiirah = small doors
al-baab a-aghiir = the small door
al-abwaab a-aghiirah = the small doors

sayyaarah jadiidah = a new car
sayyaaraat jadiidah = new cars
as-sayyaarah al-jadiidah = the new car
as-sayyaaraat al-jadiidah = the new cars

madiinah kabiirah = a big city
mudun kabiirah = big cities
al-madiinah al-kabiirah = the big city
al-mudun al-kabiirah = the big cities

Qaabaltu ullaab kathiiriin. = I met many students.
Qaabaltu aalibaat kathiiraat. = I met many f. students.
Qara'tu kutub kathiirah. = I read many books.

The demonstrative pronouns "haathaa" and "haathihi" (this m/f) must also agree in gender, so if you are talking about non-human plurals, you will use the feminine form haathihi, as in these examples:

Maa fahimna haathaa ad-dars. = We did not understand this lesson.
Maa fahimna haathihi ad-duruus. = We did not understand these lessons.

Qara'tu haathaa al-kitaab al-jadiid. = I read this new book.
Qara'tu haathihi al-kutub al-jadiidah. = I read these new books.

Hal qara'ta haathihi al-jariidah? = Did you read this newspaper?
Hal qara'ta haathihi al-jaraa'id? = Did you read these newspapers?

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SEASONS and WEATHER

Fal = Season (plural: fuuul)
ar-Rabiic = Spring
a-Sayf = Summer
al-Khariif = Fall
ash-Shitaa' = Winter

a-Taqs = the weather (also al-jaww; Egyptians say ig-gaww)
Maar = rain
Mumir = rainy
ash-Shams - The Sun
Mushmis = sunny
Baarid = cold
aarr = hot

[note that "aarr" and "baarid" are used with things, and "arraan" and "bardaan" are used with people]

Examples:

Nanu al-aan fii fal ar-rabiic.
We are now in the season of spring.

Kaana haathaa ash-shitaa' baarid jiddan.
This winter was very cold.

Fii ar-rabiic a-aqs jamiil jiddan fii Philadelphia.
In spring the weather is very beautiful in Philadelphia.

A-aqs al-yawm aarr wa mushmis.
The weather today is hot and sunny.

Ams kaana a-aqs mushmis aydan.
Yesterday the weather was sunny too.

Yawm al-Jumcah kaana a-aqs mumir.
Friday the weather was rainy.

Fii ash-shitaa' a-aqs baarid wa mumir fii Philadelphia.
In winter the weather is cold and rainy in Philadelphia.

Wa fii a-ayf a-aqs aarr wa mushmis.
And in the summer the weather is hot and sunny.

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FEELINGS

Kayf al-aal? = How are you?
(or Kayf aalak? to a man, Kayf aalik? to a woman)

Anaa bi-khayr, al-amdu li-Llah. = I am fine, praise God.

Wa anta/anti? = and you? (m/f)

Kayfa tashcur al-yawm? = How do you (m.) feel today?

You can answer this question with the sentence, "I feel....."
Ashcur bi.... = I feel...(with noun)

But just like in English, it's easier in Arabic to answer with something like "I am hungry" than it is to say "I feel hunger." Many adjectives describing
a physical state of being end with -aan. To make them feminine, as with other adjectives, you add -ah at the end.

Shucuur - feeling
Tacbaan - tired
Jawcaan - hungry
cAshaan - thirsty
Ghadbaan - angry
arraan - hot
Bardaan - cold

Saciid - happy
aziin - sad
Mariid - sick
Aasif - sorry
Mashghuul - busy

Examples:

Hiya tacbaanah jiddan.
She is very tired.

Kuntu jawcaan fa thahabtu ilaa macam.
I was hungry so I went to a restaurant.

Huwa mashghuul al-yawm.
He is busy today.

Yaa cAa'ishah, limaathaa anti aziinah?
Aisha, why are you sad?

Kaanat mariidah ams.
She was sick yesterday.

Waalidatii ghadbaanah minnii.
My mother is angry at me.

Wa anaa aasif jiddan.
And I am very sorry.

Anaa arraan wa cashaan.
I am hot and thirsty.

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Days of the Week
Yawm = Day
al-Yawm = Today

Usbuuc = Week

Ghaddan or Bukrah = Tomorrow

Ams or Imbaari = Yesterday

Learning the days of the week is easy if you remember how to count from 1 to 5.
Just remember that the first day of the week is Sunday.

Waaid 1
Ithnaan 2
Thalaatha 3
Arbaca 4
Khamsa 5

(Yawm) al-Aad Sunday (the first day)
(Yawm) al-Ithnayn Monday (the second day)
(Yawm) ath-Thulathaa' Tuesday (the third day)
(Yawm) al-Arbicaa' Wednesday (the fourth day)
(Yawm) al-Khamiis Thursday (the fifth day)
(Yawm) al-Jumcah Friday (the day of coming together for prayer)
(Yawm) as-Sabt Saturday (the Sabbath day)

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PRESENT TENSE



Here are four verbs you've had in previous lessons, plus two new ones:

Adrus - I study
Askun - I live
Acmal - I work
Aktub - I write
Athhab - I go
Acrif - I know

Here are the complete conjugations of these verbs in the present tense:
When Arabs are speaking to each other, they usually drop the "N" at the end of some of these. But when it is written, the "N" must be included.

Adrus - I study
Tadrus - You (m.) study
Tadrusii[n] - You (f.) study
Tadrus - She studies
Yadrus - He studies
Nadrus - We study
Tadrusuu[n] - You (pl.) study
Yadrusuu[n] - They study

Askun - I live
Taskun - You (m.) live
Taskunii[n] - You (f.) live
Taskun - She lives
Yaskun - He lives
Naskun - We live
Taskunuu[n] - You (pl.) live
Yaskunuu[n] - They live

Acmal - I work
Tacmal - You (m.) work
Tacmalii[n] - You (f.) work
Tacmal - She works
Yacmal - He works
Nacmal - We work
Tacmaluu[n] - You (pl.) work
Yacmaluu[n] - They work

Aktub - I write
Taktub - You (m.) write
Taktubii[n] - You (f.) write
Taktub - She writes
Yaktub - He writes
Naktub - We write
Taktubuu[n] - You (pl.) write
Yaktubuu[n] - They write

Athhab - I go
Tathhab - You (m.) go
Tathhabii[n] - You (f.) go
Tathhab - She goes
Yathhab - He goes
Nathhab - We go
Tathhabuu[n] - You (pl.) go
Yathhabuu[n] - They go

Acrif - I know
Tacrif - You (m.) know
Tacrifii[n] - You (f.) know
Tacrif - She knows
Yacrif - He knows
Nacrif - We know
Tacrifuu[n] - You (pl.) know
Yacrifuu[n] - They know

Example sentences with plural verbs:

Taskunuu fii bayt am shaqqah? (spoken style)
Do youse live in a house or an apartment?

Yaskunuun fii bayt.
They live in a house.

Yacmaluun fii matcam.
They work in a restaurant.

Yadrusuun fi Jaamicat Drexel.
They study at Drexel U.

Ilaa ayna tathhabuun?
Where are y'all going?

Yaktubuun kitaab.
They are writing a book.

Hal tacrifuun ayna taskun cA'isha? (written style)
Do you (pl.) know where cA'isha lives?

Yacrifuun al-Arabiyyah jayyidan.
They know Arabic well.

Negation: To negate present tense verbs, you just use the word "Laa," which means "No."

Laa nacrif Ahmad.
We don't know Ahmad.

Laa yacrifuun al-Arabiyyah jayyidan.
They do not know Arabic well.

Laa yaskunuun fii bayt.
They do not live in a house.

Laa yacmaluun fii matcam.
They do not work in a restaurant.

Laa yadrusuun fi Jaamicat Drexel.
They do not study at Drexel U.


Plural pronouns:

Nanu (ina) - we
Antum (intu) - you pl. [youse, y'all]
Hum (humma) - they

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Here are terms and vocabulary associated with the ajj.

ajj = The Muslim Pilgrimage to Makkah. The ajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. For many Muslims, it is the
most important event of their life. Any Muslim who is physically and financially able is supposed to make
the ajj once in their lifetimes. The ajj is in some ways a rehearsal for the Day of Judgement. Each year, over
two million Muslims from around the world gather in Makkah to perform the ajj rituals.
aajj = A man who has made the Pilgrimage.
aajjah = A woman who has made the Pilgrimage.

Makkah = Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.
Al-Madiinah = Medina, the second holiest city of Islam. Al-Madiinah means "The City" and is short for
"The City of The Prophet"

Dhu-l-ijjah = (Zuu-l-ijjah) The name of the Islamic month during which the ajj is undertaken.
cUmrah = The "Lesser Pilgrimage" made during any other time of the year.

al-Kacbah = Literally "The Cube," al-Kacbah is the center of the Muslim world. Muslims pray toward it
five times a day. Muslims believe the Kacbah was built by the Prophet Abraham (Ibraahiim in Arabic)
as the first house of worship dedicated to the One God, some 4,000 years ago.

al-Masjid al-araam = The Holy Mosque in Makkah. The Masjid al-araam is built around the al-Kacbah. Over 300,000 people can fit inside it.

Kiswah = The covering of the Kacbah. It is made of black silk, and embroidered with verses of the Qur'an in gold. It is changed every year.

The Black Stone (Al-ajar al-Aswad) -- The Black Stone is actually believed to be a meteorite, which Muslims believe was sent by God as sign to Abraham--Abraham built it into the Kacbah.
Map courtesy World Factbook 2001.

By the time of Prophet Muammad, 2,500 years after Abraham, the Kacbah was full of over 300 pagan idols. Makkah had
become a center for pilgrimages to worship pagan gods. The people of Makkah made a lot of money off of this pilgrimage traffic, and when when Muammad began preaching his message of obedience to the One True God (al-Islaam,) they got very angry and tried to kill him. Then he had to flee to Al-Madiinah, which is over 200 miles north of Makkah. This flight to Al-Madiinah is called al-Hijrah. When Prophet Muammad returned victorious to Makkah, he cleared out all the pagan idols and rededicated the Kacbah to The One God.

The rituals of theajj commemorate the trials and sacrifices of Abraham, his wife Hagar and their son Ishmael (Ismaaciil
in Arabic.) Muslims believe that the Prophet Muammad is descended from Abraham through Ishmael. Abraham brought
his wife Hagar to the wilderness of the Arabian desert. God said that He would provide for her and ordered Abraham to
leave her there.

The Prophet said the person who performs the ajj returns like a baby newly born (free of all sins).

The ajj used to be long difficult journey by camel through desert. It could take months if the Pilgrims were coming from Morocco or India. Now there are modern facilities, all built by the government of Saudi Arabia. Most Pilgrims arrive by boat or plane first in Jeddah, located on the Red Sea coast, and from there go to Makkah.

"ajj Mabruur wa thanb maghfuur" = May your Pilgrimage be accepted by God and your sins forgiven." Said to people making the ajj.

What do pilgrims do on ajj?
It takes several days to complete the rituals. Here are some terms associated with the ajj rituals:

Iraam --State of ritual purity that pilgrims must be in to perform the ajj. The Iraam also refers to the white garment which men wear, made of seamless cloth. Women do not have to wear a special garment, but when they perform the Tawaaf they cannot be veiled. Pilgrims should not wear jewelry or dress up. The Iraam symbolizes that all people are the same before God--no rich, no poor. The white cloth also reminds people of death shroud in which they will be buried.

at-Tawaaf --Circling the Kacbah. Pilgrims do this 7 times, at three diffent points during the ajj. While performing the Tawaaf, they say "Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk!" "I am here, O God, at your service!"

as-Sacy --Running 7 times between the hills of afaa and Marwah. This action imitates Abraham's wife Hagar's desperate search for water in the middle of the desert.

cArafaat--Mountain where Prophet Muhammad gave his farewell address. cArafaat also refers to the plain next to the mountain, where all the Pilgrims stand and pray for God's forgiveness. This is known as the "Standing Day" and is viewed as sort of a rehearsal for the Day of Judgement.

Minaa--One site where the Pilgrims camp on their way to cArafaat.

Muzdalifah--Plain between Minaa and cArafaat where all Pilgrims camp. The Saudi government has constructed a huge tent city in Muzdalifah--it is the world's largest campground.

ar-Rajm--Act of throwing stones at 3 pillars which symbolize Satan.
Jamrah--The 3 pillars. These are at Minaa.

The next day begins the cIid al-Adaa = (Eid al-Adha) The Feast of Sacrifice. It is the most important holiday of the Islamic year. It begins on the 10th day of the month of Dhu-l-ijjah, which this year will be March 6. It marks completion of ajj rituals by the Pilgrims, and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isaac in the Jewish and Christian traditions). God provided a lamb instead. In commemoration of this, Muslims who can afford to do so buy a sheep, goat, or even a cow or a camel to slaughter. The meat is distributed to poor families. In Muslim countries the Eid is a 3-4 day holiday.
Because so many animals are slaughtered by the Pilgrims in Makkah, the Saudis have built a large meat-packing plant to preserve the meat. This is then distributed around the world for hunger relief efforts.

cIid Mubaarak = "Blessed Eid" the Eid greeting.

Then the Pilgrims return to Makkah for final Tawaaf and Sacy.

Well of Zamzam--The well located in Makkah, which Muslims believe God created in response to Hagar's prayers.

The trip to Medina not an official part of ajj, but most Muslims go to visit the Prophet's Mosque, where he is buried, after the ajj rituals have been completed

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PREPOSITIONS

Here are some prepositions--those little words that show the relation of one thing to another. Prepositions are an important part of putting sentences together. They are not always the exact equivalent of the English translation.

Prepositions:
Fii - In, at
Fawqa - Above
Tata - Below
cAlaa - On, upon
Janba - Next to, beside
Maca - With

Let's practice putting sentences together using some new vocabulary words as well as the ones we know already:

Madrasah - School
Bayt - House
Maktab - Office
Macam - Restaurant
Shaaric - Street

Philadelphia madiinah fii Pennsylvania. = Philly is a city in Pennsylvania.
Beirut madiinah fii Lubnaan. = Beirut is a city in Lebanon.
Amad fii al-maktab maca John. = Ahmad is in the office with John.
Ayna al-macam al-jadiid? = Where is the new restaurant?
Al-macam al-jadiid fii shaaric Walnut. = The new restaurant is on Walnut Street.
As-sayyaarah fii ash-shaari c. = The car is in the street.
Faimah taskun fawqa al-maktab. = Fatimah lives above the office.
Anaa askun maca usratii. = I live with my family.
Al-bayt janba al-madrasah. = The house is next to the school.
Al-asad janba al-arnab. = The lion is beside the rabbit.
Al-daftar calaa a-aawilah. = The notebook is on the table.
Ayna al-qaamuus? = Where is the dictionary?
Al-qaamuus tat al-kursii. = The dictionary is under the chair.



LESSON 35

POSSESSION




There are several ways to express possession in Arabic. The easiest ways are to just use a preposition, which is followed by a pronoun suffix. The preposition "li" means "to or for" so if you add the suffix "-k" for you, masculine, you get "liik" meaning "to you, for you," but it also is used to mean "you have." This expression is usually used for things that you cannot possess physically (intangibles) such as relationships.

Lii = I have
Liik (laka) = you m. have
Liiki (laki) = you f. have
Lahu = he has
Lahaa = she has
Linaa (lana) = we have
Liiku (lakum) = you pl. have
Lahum = they have

Lii akh wa ukht. = I have a brother and a sister
Lahaa sadiiq min Lubnaan. = She has a friend from Lebanon.
Lahu usrah kabiirah. = He has a big family.
Lahum jadd fii Kuwayt. = They have a grandfather in Kuwait.

The preposition "cinda" (sometimes pronounced "canda") is used to indicate possession of things you own, like a car or a pencil.

cindii = I have
cindak = you m. have
cindik = you f. have
cinduh = he has
cindahaa = she has
cindanaa = we have
cindakum = you pl. have
cindahum = they have

cIndii sayyaarah qadiimah. = I have an old car.
cIndahaa qaamuus jadiid. = She has a new dictionary.
cIndanaa maktab kabiir. = We have a large office.

Sometimes you can use either "li" or "cinda."
Lii su'aal/ cindii su'aal. = I have a question.


When you are asking a yes or no question, you put the short word "hal" in front of the question. This is used usually if you are writing or speaking formally. Usually, in conversation, you do not say "hal" but indicate that you are asking a question by your intonation, raising the tone of the word you are asking about.

(Hal) cindak qalam?/cindik qalam? = Do you (m/f) have a pen?
(Hal) cinduh sayyaarah? = Does he have a car?
(Hal) Liik akh? / Liiki akh? = Do you (m/f) have a brother?
(Hal) taskun fii bayt? = Do you (m.) live in a house?

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Last week we learned that in Arabic, nouns are either masculine or feminine. How can you tell what they are? Usually feminine nouns end with the "-ah" sound. And we learned that in Arabic the adjective comes after the noun it describes. We also learned that nouns and adjectives in Arabic must agree, that is, an adjective must agree with the noun it describes. It must agree in several ways--one is gender. So if the noun is masculine, you need a masculine adjective to describe it. If a noun is feminine, you need a feminine adjective to describe it. To make the adjective feminine, again you usually just add an "-ah" at the end.
An adjective has to agree with the noun it describes not just in gender, but also in definiteness. So if the noun is definite with an "Al-", then the adjective also has to be definite with an "Al-." Remember the "Al-" is the Arabic equivalent of "The", which we call the "definite article."

Look at these examples:

bayt qadiim = an old house
al-bayt al-qadiim = the old house

Both of these are phrases, not sentences. How do we make a sentence out of these words? Remember, there is no word for "is" in Arabic.

Al-bayt qadiim. = The house is old. This is a simple equational sentence. Note that the subject "al-bayt" has the definite article and the predicate "qadiim" does not.

Look at these additional examples, paying attention to which words have the "al-" and which do not. See how the "al-" changes the meaning of the phrase or sentence.

bayt qadiim = an old house
al-bayt al-qadiim = the old house
Al-bayt qadiim. = The house is old.

walad awiil = a tall boy
al-walad a-awiil = the tall boy
Al-walad awiil. = The boy is tall.

dars acb = a difficult lesson
ad-dars a-acb = the difficult lesson
Ad-dars acb. = The lesson is difficult.

qalam jadiid = a new pen
al-qalam al-jadiid = the new pen
Al-qalam jadiid. = The pen is new.

aawilah jamiilah = a beautiful table
a-aawilah al-jamiilah = the beautiful table
A-aawilah jamiilah. = The table is beautiful.

madiinah kabiirah = a big city
al-madiinah al-kabiirah = the big city
Al-madiinah kabiirah. = The city is big.

lughah sahlah = an easy language
al-lughah as-sahlah = the easy language
Al-lughah sahlah. = The language is easy.

Mir al-qadiimah = ancient Egypt
Mir qadiimah. = Egypt is ancient.

You will note that in some cases above the "Al-" is written as ad-, at-, or as-. This has to do with the pronunciation. It is written Alif Laam in Arabic, but some letters take over the Laam sound--it gets absorbed into the preceding sound....We will earn the rules for this later--for now you should just pronounce it the way it is written here.

What is this??

The word for "this" in Arabic is either masculine or feminine, depending on the noun it describes:
Haathaa -- This (masc.)
Haathihi -- This (fem.)

To ask the question "What is this?" you would use the masculine form:
Maa haathaa? What is this?

The person answering the question would answer with either Haathaa or Haathihi, depending on the gender of the word...if you know the word , you know what gender it is. Look at these examples:

Maa haathaa? What is this?
Haathaa qaamuus. This is a dictionary. (qaamuus is masculine)

Maa haathaa? What is this?
Haathihi jariidah. This is a newspaper. (jariidah is feminine)

Here are some new nouns for you to learn:

Qaamuus - dictionary
Jariidah - newspaper
Kursii - chair
Daftar - notebook
Maktab - office or desk
Khariiah - map

We can also make whole sentences using Haathaa and Haathihi. Look at these examples:

Haathaa bayt = This is a house.
Haathaa bayt qadiim = This is an old house.
Haathaa al-bayt = this house...
Haathaa al-bayt qadiim = This house is old.

Haathaa dars = This is a lesson.
Haathaa dars acb = This is a difficult lesson.
Haathaa ad-dars = this lesson...
Haathaa ad-dars acb = This lesson is difficult.

Haathaa daftar = This is a notebook.
Haathaa daftar aghiir= This is a small notebook.
Haathaa ad-daftar = this notebook...
Haathaa ad-daftar aghiir= This notebook is small.

Haathihi jariidah = This is a newspaper.
Haathihi jariidah qadiimah = This is an old newspaper.
Haathihi al-jariidah = this newspaper...
Haathihi al-jariidah qadiimah = This newspaper is old.

Haathihi khariiah = This is a map.
Haathihi khariiah kabiirah = This is a big map.
Haathihi al-khariiah = this map...
Haathihi al-khariiah kabiirah = This map is big.

Haathihi lughah = This is a language.
Haathihi lughah sahlah = This is an easy language.
Haathihi al-lughah = this language...
Haathihi al-lughah sahlah = This language is easy.

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A noun is a person, place or thing. "Proper nouns" are the names of people, places or things, such as "Philadelphia," or "Ben Franklin." All nouns in Arabic are either "masculine" or "feminine" in gender. In this way, Arabic is similar to most European languages, such as French, Spanish or German, which all have genders for their nouns. This makes sense when you're talking about nouns that are for people, such as:

Masculine Human Nouns

Mudarris - male teacher
Ustaath - male professor
Waalid - father
Walad - boy
Akh - brother
Jadd - grandfather

Feminine Human Nouns

Mudarrisa - female teacher
Ustaatha - female professor
Waalida - mother
Bint - girl
Ukht - sister
Jadda - grandmother

But for speakers of English, it can be confusing to talk about the gender of non-human objects, such as the following:

Masculine Non-human Nouns

Kitaab - book
Ism - name, noun
Baab - door
Al-Maghrib - Morocco
Qalam - pen
Dars - lesson
Bayt - house
Arnab - rabbit

Feminine Non-human Nouns

Madrasah - school
Sayyaarah - car
Lughah - language
Mir - Egypt
Madiinah - city
Taawilah - table
Ziraafah - giraffe

Fortunately, in Arabic it is usually easy to tell if a noun is masculine or feminine. Look at the examples above. You will notice that most of the feminine nouns end with an "-ah" sound. This is how you can tell that the noun is feminine. It's a lot easier than French or German, where you have to memorize the gender of every noun. However, for some proper nouns, like Misr or al-Maghrib, you still need to memorize whether it's masculine or feminine.

An adjective is a word which describes a noun. Here are some common adjectives:

Adjectives

Kabiir - big
aghiir - small
Jadiid - new
Qadiim - old
Jamiil - beautiful
Tawiil - long, tall
Qaiir - short
acb - difficult
Sahl - easy

In Arabic, the adjective follows the noun it describes--the opposite of English. An adjective must "agree" in gender with the noun it describes: If the noun is masculine, the adjective must be masculine. If the noun is feminine, the adjective must be feminine. You make the adjective feminine simply by adding the "-ah" sound at the end. Look at the following examples:

Kitaab qadiim = an old book

Walad jamiil = a handsome boy

Taalib jadiid = a new student

Baab aghiir = a small door

Bint jamiilah = a beautiful girl

Sayyaarah jadiidah = a new car

Madrasah kabiirah = a big school

Lughah qadiimah = an ancient language

An adjective must also agree with the noun it describes in "definiteness". Remember, you make a noun definite in Arabic by adding the "al-" (The) at the beginning. (Arnab = rabbit, al-arnab = the rabbit) So if the noun has an "al-" the adjective which describes it also has to have an "al-." Look at the following examples:

bayt qadiim = an old house
al-bayt al-qadiim = the old house

walad awiil = a tall boy
al-walad a-awiil = the tall boy

dars acb = a difficult lesson
ad-dars a-acb = the difficult lesson

qalam jadiid = a new pen
al-qalam al-jadiid = the new pen

aawilah jamiilah = a beautiful table
a-aawilah al-jamiilah = the beautiful table

madiinah kabiirah = a big city
al-madiinah al-kabiirah = the big city

lughah sahlah = an easy language
al-lughah as-sahlah = the easy language

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

"Kullu Sana wa Antum bi-Khayr!"
Greeting used at holidays, birthdays, etc. to express good wishes: "May you be well with every coming year!"
Kullu--each, every
Sana--year
Antum--you, plural
bi-Khayr--Well, good, "in wellness"

You will hear Arabs say it in many different ways.
"Kullu cAam wa Antum bi-Khayr" (cAam is another word for 'year')
"Kulli Sana wi Intu Tayyibiin" (This is what Egyptians say)
"Kulli cAam wa Intu Salmiin" ( This is what Palestinians and Syrians say)

cIid al-Miilaad--Christmas (Holiday of the Birth)
"cIid al-Miilaad Saciid!"--Merry Christmas!
"Bayt Lam" Arabic name for Bethlehem


cIid al-Fir--Festival of Fast-Breaking--The holiday which ends the month of Ramadan.
"cIid Mubaarak!" Blessed Eid!

the beauty exposed ;

B-ism Allah ar-Ramaan ar-Raiim
In the Name of God, The Merciful, The Compassionate
Invocation said by Muslims on many occasions, particularly when beginning a new activity.

Ramadaan--The holiest month of the Islamic year, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

Ramadaan Mubaarak!--Blessed Ramadaan!

a-awm; a-iyaam--Fasting. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the "Five Pillars of Islam"

Ifaar--Meal to break the fast after sunset

Suuur--Pre-dawn meal

Anaa aayim/aayima--I am fasting. masc./fem.

cIid al-Fir--Festival of Fast-Breaking--The holiday which ends the month of Ramadan.


Qur'an (Qur'aan)--The Holy Scripture of Islam. Believed by Muslims to be the literal words of God, as revealed to His Prophet Muammad by the Angel Gabriel. Preferred pronunciation and spelling.
Koran--old way of pronouncing and spelling Qur'an

Suurah--Chapter of the Qur'an. There are 114 Suurahs in the Qur'an.
Ayyah--Verse of a chapter. There are over 6,000 Ayyahs in the Qur'an.
Juz'--"Part or Section" The Qur'an is divided into 30 parts of approximately equal length.

Tajwiid--The art of reciting the Qur'an.

Our Qur'an reciter was ajj Omar Woodard, Senior at Girard College.
ajj Omar was the winner of Villanova University's Islamic Studies Center's 2000 Children's Quranic Recitation Contest.

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al-Usrah--The Family
Fii usratii...--In my family...

Umm or Waalidah--Mom, Mother
Ummii, Waalidatii--My Mother

Ab or Waalid--Dad, Father
Abii/Abuya, Waalidii--My Father

Ibn--son
Bint--daughter, girl

Akh--Brother
Ukht--Sister
Lii ukht wa akh--I have a sister and a brother

Akhii (or Akhuya)--My Brother
Ism Akhii Amad--My Brother's name is Amad

Ukhtii--My Sister
Ism Ukhtii Maryam--My Sister's name is Maryam

Fii usratii anaa wa waalidii wa waalidatii wa akhii wa ukhtii.
In my family, there's me, my father, my mother, my brother and my sister.

Jadd--Grandfather
Jaddii--My Grandfather

Jaddah--Grandmother
Jaddatii--My Grandmother

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Allah--God, The One God. The same God whom Christians and Jews worship.

al-Islaam--The religion of Islam. The word means "submission" to the will of God.

Muslim--one who believes in Islam. Preferred pronunciation and spelling.
Moslem--old way of pronouncing and spelling Muslim

Qur'an--The Holy Scripture of Islam. Believed by Muslims to be the literal words of God, as revealed to His Prophet Muammad by the Angel Gabriel. Preferred pronunciation and spelling.
Koran--old way of pronouncing and spelling Qur'an

Muammad--The Prophet of Islam. Muslims believe that he was the last Messenger sent by God to humankind. He died in the year 632. Preferred pronunciation and spelling.
Mohamed--old way of pronouncing and spelling Muammad

alla Allah cAlayhi wa Sallim-- "May God bless him and grant him salvation" said by Muslims after they mention the Prophet Muammad's name. In English they say "Peace Be Upon Him"

The "Five Pillars" of Islam--The basic obligations a Muslim must fulfill.

1. Shahaada--Declaration of Faith--Witnessing that "There is no god but God and Muammad is the Messenger of God."

2. alaat--Prayer--Muslims are supposed to pray five times daily.

3. Zakaat--Charity tax--to support the less fortunate in the community.

4. awm--Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan--Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset during this month.

5. ajj--Pilgrimage to Mecca--If she or he is physically and financially able, a Muslim should make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in her/his lifetime. The Hajj purifies the pilgrim spiritually and unifies the Islamic community.

Mosque--Muslim place of worship.
Masjid or Jaamic--Arabic words for Mosque
Minaret--Tower of mosque, from which the Call to Prayer is given.

Athaan--Muslim Call to Prayer--broadcast from the minaret 5 times daily.

God is most great. God is most great.
God is most great. God is most great.

I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that there is no god except God.

I testify that Muammad is the Messenger of God.
I testify that Muammad is the Messenger of God.

Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success! Come to success!

God is most great. God is most great.
There is no god except God.


Mu'aththin--the man who gives the call to prayer.
Muezzin--common pronounciation and spelling of Mu'aththin

alaal--"legal, lawful" Used, among other things, to refer to food, especially meat from animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic law. Devout Muslims do not eat meat which is not alaal.

In shaa Allah. "If God wills," " God willing"--said by Muslims about any future plans or actions.

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Maraba--Hello!
Ahlan wa Sahlan--Welcome!

As-Salaamu cAlaykum--Hello. "Peace be upon you"
Wa cAlaykum as-Salaam--Response "and on you be peace"

Maca as-Salaama--Goodbye "go in safety"

Yaa... --Hey! (used only with person's name or title)

Anaa--I
Anta--(also Inta)--you, masculine singular
Anti (also Inti)--you, feminine singular
Huwa--he
Hiya--she

Ismii.... --My name is...

Maa ismak? What is your name? (to a male)
Maa ismik? What is your name? (to a female)

Ustaath--male teacher
Ustaathah--female teacher

Tilmiith--Male student, pupil. (elementary/middle school)
Tilmiithah--Female student, pupil.

Taalib--Male student (high school or college)
Taalibah--Female student

Madrasah--School
Jaamicah--University

Min--from
Ayna--Where?

Min ayna anti? Where are you (f) from?
Min ayna huwa? Where is he from?

Anaa min Philadelphia--I am from Philadelphia.
Hiya min Lubnan--She is from Lebanon.

Man?--Who?
Man Hiya?--Who is she?
Man huwa?--Who is he?

Huwa Ustaath fii Jaamicat Pennsylvania.--He is a professor at U. Penn.
Hiya tilmiithah fii Madrasat Turner.--She is a student at Turner School.

abaa al-Khayr--Good Morning! (Morning of Goodness!)
abaa an-Nuur--(response) And Good Morning to you! (Morning of Light!)

Masaa' al-Khayr--Good Afternoon/Evening!
Masaa' an-Nuur--(response) And Good Afternoon to you!

Kayf--How?
al-aal--the situation or condition

Kayf al-aal?--How are you?
Bi-khayr--Fine, good, well
Anaa bi-khayr--I'm fine.
al-amdu li-Llah!--God be praised! (said in response to question How are you?)
Wa anti/ant

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Prophet Muhammad's family and early leaders of Islam:

Muammad--means praised, commendable
Khadiija--Prophet's first wife
cAli--Prophet's son-in-law--means lofty or exalted
Faaima--Prophet's daughter, married to cAli
cAa'isha--one of Prophet's wives--means prosperous
asan--Prophet's grandson, son of cAli --beautiful, handsome
usayn--Prophet's grandson, son of cAli --little beauty
cUmar--second Caliph-(succeeder to Prophet Muammad
as leader of Islamic community)
cUthmaan--third Caliph
Bilaal--first Muezzin (caller of Muslims to daily prayers)


Peoples' names based on Names of God

Another class of Muslim names is based on the names of God in Arabic. Allah means The God--The same God whom Jews and Christians worship

The 99 Names of God--called The Most Beautiful Names--have to do with God's many attributes: such as, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful
We do this as well--example we say "The Almighty" to refer to God

cAbd--is an Arabic word meaning servant or slave

Not all of the 99 names of God are used as names for people.
Some of the most popular ones are:

cAbd Allah --Servant of God
cAbd al-cAziiz --Servant of The Almighty
cAbd al-Ramaan --Servant of The Merciful
cAbd al-Raiim --Servant of The Compassionate
cAbd al-akiim --Servant of The Wise
cAbd al-Kariim --Servant of The Generous
cAbd al-Jabbaar --Servant of The Compeller
cAbd al-Majiid --Servant of The Glorious
cAbd al-Malik --Servant of The King, The Ruler of All
cAbd al-Qaadir --Servant of The All-Powerful

There is no such name as "Abdul" by itself--it would mean "servant of the.....", that is, "Abdul" would be only half a name...

As first names, these are all for males, but they can be used as last names for anyone. In fact, many Arab names can be used as both first and last names. This is partly because many Arabs take their father's first name as their own last name.

You may also hear the words Abu, Umm, Ibn, or Bint in people's names. Abu means father, Umm means mother, Ibn means son, and Bint means daughter. So if a man is named Muammad, you would call his father Abu Muammad and his mother Umm Muammad. You would call his son Ibn Muammad, and his daughter is Bint Muammad.

When Arab women get married, they usually keep their own family name.

the beauty exposed ;

Prophet Muhammad's family and early leaders of Islam:

Muammad--means praised, commendable
Khadiija--Prophet's first wife
cAli--Prophet's son-in-law--means lofty or exalted
Faaima--Prophet's daughter, married to cAli
cAa'isha--one of Prophet's wives--means prosperous
asan--Prophet's grandson, son of cAli --beautiful, handsome
usayn--Prophet's grandson, son of cAli --little beauty
cUmar--second Caliph-(succeeder to Prophet Muammad
as leader of Islamic community)
cUthmaan--third Caliph
Bilaal--first Muezzin (caller of Muslims to daily prayers)


Peoples' names based on Names of God

Another class of Muslim names is based on the names of God in Arabic. Allah means The God--The same God whom Jews and Christians worship

The 99 Names of God--called The Most Beautiful Names--have to do with God's many attributes: such as, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful
We do this as well--example we say "The Almighty" to refer to God

cAbd--is an Arabic word meaning servant or slave

Not all of the 99 names of God are used as names for people.
Some of the most popular ones are:

cAbd Allah --Servant of God
cAbd al-cAziiz --Servant of The Almighty
cAbd al-Ramaan --Servant of The Merciful
cAbd al-Raiim --Servant of The Compassionate
cAbd al-akiim --Servant of The Wise
cAbd al-Kariim --Servant of The Generous
cAbd al-Jabbaar --Servant of The Compeller
cAbd al-Majiid --Servant of The Glorious
cAbd al-Malik --Servant of The King, The Ruler of All
cAbd al-Qaadir --Servant of The All-Powerful

There is no such name as "Abdul" by itself--it would mean "servant of the.....", that is, "Abdul" would be only half a name...

As first names, these are all for males, but they can be used as last names for anyone. In fact, many Arab names can be used as both first and last names. This is partly because many Arabs take their father's first name as their own last name.

You may also hear the words Abu, Umm, Ibn, or Bint in people's names. Abu means father, Umm means mother, Ibn means son, and Bint means daughter. So if a man is named Muammad, you would call his father Abu Muammad and his mother Umm Muammad. You would call his son Ibn Muammad, and his daughter is Bint Muammad.

When Arab women get married, they usually keep their own family name.

the beauty exposed ;

Greetings
Hello Marhaba
How are you? Keef Halek
Good Morning Sabah Al Kair
Good Evening Masaa Al Kair
Good Kowaies
Very Good Kowaies Kateer
Please Min Fadlak
Thank you Shoo kran
Excuse Me Ismahlee
Never mind Maa leesh
OK Taieb
Yes Aiwa
No La
Maybe Yimken
None, nothing, nobody Mafee



Directions
Go Rooh
Stop Wagef
Turn Left Lif Yassar
Turn Right Lif Yameen
Straight Ahead Ala Tool
Slowly Shway Shway
Wait or Stay Estanna
Show me War Keni
Here Hena
There Hennak
Before Gabel
After Ba ad
Now Al Ann
From Min
To or At (a place) Ala
Wait 1 minute Wahad da ghee ga



Basics & General
Money Feloos
Coffee Gahwah
Sugar Sokar
Salt Melh
Car Sayara
Hotel Fon doq
Water Moya
Tea Shahi
Milk Haleeb
Work Shoghol
Airplane Tayarah
Street Sharee

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Ana
You (to woman) Intee
You (to man) Inta
He Whowa
She Heeya
We Nihna
They Home



Asking Questions
Who? Meen
What? Aish
When? Meta
Where? Fayn
Why? Lay ish
How much? Kum
How much is this? Kum Hada
Where are you from? Min Fain Inta
Understand? Maf Hoom
Do you speak English? Tet Kalam Ingleezi



Useful “I”s
I want Ana abgha
I don’t want Ana ma abgha
I have Ana endi
I don’t have Ana ma endi
I don’t understand Ana ma fehempt
I work at the Ana bash taghel fi
I don’t speak Arabic Ana la tet kalam al Arabiah



Counting & Numbers
0 Zero Sifir 1 One Wahid
2 Two Ithnin 3 Three Thalatha
4 Four Arba 5 Five Khamsa
6 Six Sitta 7 Seven Saba
8 Eight Thamania 9 Nine Tisa
10 Ten Ashra 20 Twenty Ashreen
30 Thirty Thala theen 40 Forty Arba en
50 Fifty Khamseen 60 Sixty Sitteen
70 Seventy Saba en 80 Eighty Thaman en
90 Ninety Tisa en 100 Hundred Mia

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A


Aban - Old Arabic name
Abbas - Description of a lion
Abbud - Worshipper
Abbudin - Worshippers
Abdul, Abdel - Servant (of Allah)
Abdul-Alim - Servant of the Omniscient
Abdul-Aliyy - Servant of the Most High
Abdul-Azim - Servant of the Mighty
Abdul-Aziz - Servant of the Powerful One
Abdul-Bari - Servant of the Creator
Abdul-Basit - Servant of the Extender
Abdul-Fattah - Servant of the Opener (of the gates of sustenance)
Abdul-Ghaffar, Abdul-Ghafur - Servant of the Forgiver
Abdul-Hadi - Servant of the Guide
Abdul-Hafiz - Servant of the Protector
Abdul-Hakam - Servant of the Arbitrator
Abdul-Hakim - Servant of the Wise One
Abdul-Halim - Servant of the Mild, Patient One
Abdul-Hamid - Servant of the Praised One
Abdul-Haqq - Servant of the Truth
Abdul-Hasib - Servant of the Respected, Esteemed
Abdul-Jabbar - Servant of the Mighty
Abdul-Jalil - Servant of the Great, Revered One
Abdul-Karim - Servant of the Noble, Generous One
Abdul-Khaliq - Servant of the Creator
Abdul-Latif - Servant of the Kind One
Abdul-Malik - Servant of the Master (or King)
Abdul-Majid - Servant of the Glorious One
Abdul-Matin - Servant of the Firm, Strong
Abdul-Muhaimin - Servant of the Supervising, the Guardian, the Protector
Abdul-Mu'izz - Servant of the Giver of Might and Glory
Abdul-Mujib - Servant of the Responder
Abdul-Muta'al - Servant of the Most High
Abdul-Nasser - Servant of the Victorious One
Abdul-Nasir - Servant of the Helper, Protector
Abdul-Qadir - Servant of the Capable, Powerful
Abdul-Qahhar - Servant of the Subduer, the Almighty
Abdul-Quddus - Servant of the Most Holy
Abdul-Rafi - Servant of the One Who Raises, Elevates (intellect, esteem)
Abdul-Rahim - Servant of the Most Compassionate One
Abdul-Rahman - Servant of the Merciful One
Abdul-Rashid - Servant of the Rightly Guided One
Abdul-Ra'uf - Servant of the Most Merciful
Abdul-Razzaq - Servant of the Maintainer, the Provider
Abdul-Sabur - Servant of the Patient
Abdul-Salam - Servant of the Peace
Abdul-Samad - Servant of the Eternal
Abdul-Sami - Servant of the All-Hearing
Abdul-Shakur - Servant of the Most Thankful
Abdul-Tawwab - Servant of the Forgiver
Abdul-Wadud - Servant of the Loving
Abdul-Wahhab - Servant of the Giver
Abdul-Wahid - Servant of the One
Abdullah - Servant of God
Abu Bakr - Name of one of Muhammad's companions
Abu al Khayr - One who does good
Adel - Just
Adham - Black
Adnan - Proper name
Afif, Afeef - Chaste, modest
Ahmad, Ahmed - Most highly adored, or most praised; variation of the name "Muhammad"
Akil - Intelligent, thoughtful, one who uses reason
Akram - Most generous
Ala' - Nobility
Aladdin, Ala' al din - Nobility of faith
Ali, Aliyy - The highest, greatest, excellent, noble
Alim - Wise or learned
Altair - The flying eagle; also refers to a first magnitude star in the constellation Lyra
Amid - General
Amin, Ameen - Faithful, trustworthy
Amir, Ameer - Prince
Amjad - More glorious
Ammar - Builder, constructor
Amr - Old Arabic name
Anis - Close friend
Anwar - Light
Arfan - Gratitude
Arif - Corporal; aquainted, knowledgable
Asad - Lion
Asadel - Most prosperous one
Ashraf - Most honorable
Asif - Forgiveness
Asim - Protector, defender
Aswad - Black
Ata - Gift
Atif - Compassionate, sympathetic
Awad - Reward, compensation
Ayman - Lucky; on the right
Ayyub, Ayoob - A Prophet's name
Aza - Comfort
Azhar - Most shining, luminous
Azeem, Azim - Defender, referring to one of God's ninety-nine qualities
Azzam - Determined, resolved


B


Badr - Full moon
Badr al Din - Full moon of the faith
Baha - Beautiful, magnificent
Baha al Din, Bahiyy al Din - Magnificence of the faith
Bahir - Dazzling, brilliant
Barakah - Blessing
Bashshar - Bringer of glad tidings
Basil - Brave
Bassam, Basim - Smiling
Bilal - Name of the Prophet's Muezzin
Bishr - Joy
Burhan - Proof


D


Dabir - Secretary
Da'ud, Dawud - Arabic form of "David", beloved; a Prophet's name
Dhul Fiqar - Name of the Prophet's sword
Diya al Din - Brightness of the faith


E


Emir - To command
Esam, Essam - Safeguard


F


Fadi - Redeemer
Fadil - Generous, honorable
Fahd, Fahad - Lynx
Faisal, Faysal - Decisive
Fakhir - Proud, excellent
Fakhiri, Fakhry - Honorary
Fakih - Legal expert; one who recites the Qu'ran
Farid, Fareed - Unique
Fariq, Fareeq - Lieutenant General
Faris - Horseman, knight
Faruq, Farooq - One who distinguishes truth from falsehood
Fath - Victory
Fatin, Fateen - Clever, smart
Fawwaz - Successful
Ferran - Baker
Fida - Redemption, sacrifice
Firas - Perspicacity
Fouad - Heart
Fudail - Excellent in character


G


Gamal, Gamali - Camel
Ghalib - Victor
Ghassan - Old Arabic name
Ghazi - Conqueror
Ghiyath - Succorer


H


Habib - Beloved
Hadi - Guiding to the right
Hakeem, Hakim - Wise, one of God's ninety-nine qualities
Hakem - Ruler, governor
Halim - Mild, gentle, patient
Hamal - Lamb
Hamdan - The praised one; variation of the name "Muhammad"
Hamid - The praised one; variation of the name "Muhammad"
Hamzah - Lion
Hanbal - Purity
Hani - Happy, delighted, content
Hanif - True believer
Harith - Ploughman, cultivator
Haroun, Harun - Arabic form of "Aaron"; lofty or exalted; A Prophet's name
Hashim - Broker, destroyer of evil; Hashim was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Hassan - Beautiful, handsome
Hatim - Judge
Haytham - Young hawk
Hilal - Moon
Hilel - The new moon
Hisham - Generosity
Hud, Houd - A Prophet's name
Hudhayfah - Old Arabic name
Humam - Courageous, generous
Husain, Hussein - Little beauty; Hussein was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Husam - Sword
Husam al Din - Sword of the faith
Husayn - Beautiful


I


Ibrahim - Father of a multitude; a Prophet's name (Abraham)
Idris - A Prophet's name
Ihsan - Beneficence
Imad - Support, pillar
Imad al Din - Pillar of the faith
Imran - A Prophet's name
Irfan - Thankfulness
Isa, Eisa - A Prophet's name (Jesus)
Isam, Issam - Safeguard
Ishaq - A Prophet's name
Isma'il - A Prophet's name
Izz al Din - Might of the faith

J


Jabbar - Mighty
Jabir - Consoler, Comforter
Jafar - Rivulet
Jalal - Glory of the faith
Jalil, Jaleel - Great, revered
Jamal - Beauty
Jamal al Din - Beauty of the faith
Jamil, Jameel - Beautiful
Jawad - Open-handed, generous
Jawhar - Jewel, essence
Jibril - Archangel of Allah (Gabriel)
Jihad - Struggle, holy war
Jumah - Born on Friday


K


Kadar, Kedar - Powerful
Kadeen, Kadin - Friend, companion, confidant
Kadeer, Kadir - Green or green crop (connoting freshness and innocence)
Kahil - Friend, lover
Kaliq - Creative, refers to a quality of God
Kamal - Beauty, perfection
Kamil, Kameel - Perfect; one of the ninety-nine qualities of God
Kardal - Mustard seed
Karif, Kareef - Born in Autumn
Karim, Kareem - Generous, noble, friendly, precious and distinguished
Kasib, Kaseeb - Fertile
Kaseem, Kasim - Divided
Kateb - Writer
Khaldun, Khaldoon - Old Arabic name
Khalid, Khaled - Eternal
Khalil, Khaleel, Kalil - Beautiful, good friend
Khatib - Religious Minister
Khair al Din - The good of the faith
Khairy, Khayri - Charitable, beneficent
Khuzaymah - Old Arabic name


L


Labib, Labeeb - Sensible, intelligent
Latif - Gentle, kind, pleasant, friendly
Luqman - Name of a wise man in Islamic history.
Lutfi - Kind and friendly

M


Mahdi - Guided to the right path
Mahir - Skilled
Mahmud, Mahmoud - The praised one; variation of the name "Muhammad"
Maimun - Lucky
Majdy - Glorious
Majid al Din - Glory of the Faith
Majid, Majd - Glorious
Makin - Strong, firm
Malik - Master, angel, king
Mamdouh - One who is commended, praised, glorified
Ma'mun - Trustworthy
Ma'n - Benefit
Mansur - Divinely aided
Marid - Rebellious
Marzuq - Blessed by God, fortunate
Mash'al - Torch
Mas'ud - Fortunate, happy, lucky
Mazin - Proper name
Misbah - Lamp
Mohammed - Praised; from "Muhammad", name of the Prophet (pbuh)
Mu'adh - Protected
Mu'awiyah - Young fox (first Umayyad Kalifah)
Mu'ayyad - Supported
Mubarak - Happy, blessed
Mufid, Mufeed - Useful
Muhammad - Praised; the name of the Prophet (pbuh)
Muhanned - Sword
Muhsin - Beneficient, charitable
Muhtadi - Rightly guided
Mujahid - Fighter (in the way of Allah)
Mukhtar - Chosen
Mundhir - Warner, cautioner
Munir, Muneer - Brilliant, shining
Muntasir - Victorious
Murtadi, Murtadhy - Satisfied, content
Musa, Moosa - A Prophet's name (Moses)
Mus'ad - Unfettered camel
Muslim - Submitting oneself to God
Mustafa - Chosen one
Muta - Obeyed
Mu'tasim - Adhering (to faith, to God)
Mu'tazz - Proud, mighty
Muti - Obedient
Muwaffaq - Successful


N


Nabhan, Nabih - Noble, outstanding
Nabil, Nabeel - Noble
Nadhir - Warner
Nadim, Nadeem - Friend
Nadir - Dear, rare
Naif Na'il - Aquirer, earner
Naim - Comfort, ease, tranquility
Naji - Safe
Najib, Najeeb - Of noble descent
Najjar - Carpenter
Najm al Din - Star of the faith
Nasih - Advisor
Nasim - Fresh air
Nasir, Nasser - Protector
Nasir al Din - Protector of the faith
Nasser - Victorious
Nawfal - Generous, old Arabic name for the Sea
Nazih, Nazeeh - Pure, chaste
Nazim, Nazeem - Arranger, adjuster
Nuh, Nooh - A Prophet's name
Numair - Panther
Nu'man - Blood
Nur al Din - Brightness of the faith
Nuri, Noori - Shining, brightness


O


Omar - Long life, first son, most high, the Prophet's follower
Omran - Solid structure


Q


Qasim - Divider, distributor
Qays - Firm
Qudamah - Courage
Qutaybah, Qutaiba - Irritable, impatient


R


Rabah - Gainer
Rabi - Spring, breeze
Rafi - Exalting
Rafiq - Kind, friend
Raghib, Ragheb - Desirous
Rahman - Compassionate, merciful; referring to qualities of God listed in the Qu'ran
Ra'id - Leader
Rais - Captain
Rakin - Respectful
Rashad - Integrity of conduct
Rashid - One of good council; rightly guided, having true faith
Ratib - Arranger
Rayhan - favored by God
Reda, Rida, Ridha - (In God's) favor; contentment, satisfaction
Ridwan - Acceptance, good will; name of the keeper of the gates of Heaven
Riyad, Riyadh - Gardens


S


Sabih, Sabeeh - Beautiful
Sabir, Sabeer - Patient
Saad - Good luck
Sadaqat - Charity
Sa'eed, Sa'id - Happy
Safiy - Best friend
Safwan - Rocks
Sahir - Wakeful
Sajid - One who worships God
Salah - Righteousness
Salah al Din - Righteousness of the Faith
Saleh, Salih - Good, right
Salim, Saleem - Safe, whole, flawless
Salman - Safe
Sameh - Forgiver
Sami - High, lofty, exalted
Samir, Sameer - Entertaining companion
Samman - Grocer
Saqr - Falcon
Sariyah - Clouds at night
Saud - Fortunate
Sayyid - Master
Seif, Sayf - Sword (of religion)
Seif al Din - Sword of the faith
Shadi - Singer
Shafiq, Shafeeq - Compassionate, tender
Shakir - Thankful
Sharif, Shareef - Honest, noble, distinguished
Shihab - Flame, blaze
Siraj - Lamp, light
Sofian - Devoted
Subhi - Early morning
Suhail, Suhayl - Gentle, easy; the name of a star
Suhayb - Of reddish hair or complexion
Sulaiman, Sulayman - A Prophet's name (Solomon)
Su'ud, Suoud - Good luck


T


Tahir - Pure, clean
Talal - Nice, admirable
Talib - Seeker (of truth)
Tamir - One who owns date palm trees
Tamam - Generous
Tarif, Tareef - Rare, uncommon
Tariq - Name of a star
Tawfiq - Success, reconciliation
Taymullah - Servant of God
Taysir - Facilitation
Tayyib - Good or delicate
Thabit - Firm
Thaqib - Shooting Star


U


Ubadah, Ubaida, Ubaydah - Servant of God
Ubaid - Faithful
Ubayy - Old Arabic name
Umar - Name of the second Khalifa
Umarah - Old Arabic name
Umayr, Umair - Old Arabic name
Usama, Usamah - Description of a lion
Utbah - Old Arabic name
Uthman - One of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh)


W


Wadi - Calm, peaceful
Wafiq, Wafeeq - Successful
Wahid - Singular, exclusive, unequalled
Wa'il - Coming back (for Shelter)
Wajih, Wajeeh - Noble
Wakil - Lawyer
Waleed, Walid - Newborn child
Walliyullah - Supporter of God
Wasim, Waseem - Graceful, good looking
Wazir - Minister


Y


Yahyah - A Prophet's name
Yaman - Proper name
Ya'qub - Arabic form of "Jacob"
Yasar, Yasser - Wealth, ease
Yasin, Yaseen - One of Muhammad's names
Yasir - Wealthy
Yazid, Yazeed - God will increase
Youssef, Yusef, Yusuf - Arabic form of "Joseph"; to increase (in power and influence); a Prophet's name
Yunus, Yoonus - A Prophet's name
Yushua - God saves
Yusuf - A Prophet's name (Joseph)


Z


Zafir - Victorious
Zahid - Self-denying or ascetic
Zahir - Bright, shining
Zaid, Zayd - Increase, growth
Zaim - Brigadier General
Zakariyya - A Prophet's name
Zaki - Intelligent
Zakiy - Pure
Ziyad - Super abundance
Zuhair, Zuhayr - Bright

the beauty exposed ;

Islamic Names for Girls




A


Abia - Great
Abida - Worshipper
Abir, Abeer - Fragrance
Ablah, Abla' - Perfectly formed
Abra - Example, lesson
A'dab - Hope and need
Adara - Virgin
Adiba - Cultured, polite
Adila, Adilah, Adeela - Equal
Adiva - Pleasant, gentle
Afaf - Chaste, virtuous, decent, pure
Afifah - Chaste
Afra' - White
Ahd - Pledge, knowledge
Ahlam - Witty; one who has pleasant dreams; imaginative
A'idah, Aida - Visiting, returning; reward
Ain - Eye, thus "precious"
Aini - Spring, flower, source, choice
A'ishah, Aisha, Ayishah - Living, prosperous, youngest wife of the Prophet (pbuh)
Akilah - Intelligent, logical, one who reasons
Alhena - A ring; (A star in the constellation Gemini)
Alima - Wise
Alimah - Skilled in music or dance
Aliyyah, Aliah, A'lia - Exaulted, noble, highest social standing
Almas - Diamond
Aludra - Virgin
Alzubra - (A star in the constellation Leo)
Amal, A'mal, Amala - Hopes, aspirations
Amani - Wishes, aspirations
Amatullah - Female servant of Allah
Amber - Jewel
Aminah, Ameena - Trustworthy, faithful
Amineh - Faithful
Amirah, Ameera - Princess, leader
Amtullah - Female servant of Allah
Anan - Clouds
Anbar - Perfume, ambergris
Anisah - Close, intimate, good friend
Anwar - Rays of light
Ara - Opinions
Areebah - Witty, smart
Arub - Loving to her husband
Asima - Protector
Asiya - One who tends to the weak, one who heals
Asma' - Excellent, precious; daughter of Abu Bakr
Atifa - Affection, sympathy
Atiya - Gift
Ayah - Sign; distinct
Azhar - Flowers, blossoms
Azizah, Azeeza - Esteemed, precious, cherished
Azzah - Young, female gazelle


B


Badi'a - Unprecedented, admirable, unique
Badra - Full moon
Badriyyah - Resembling the full moon
Bahira, Baheera - Dazzling, brilliant
Bahiya - Beautiful, radiant
Balqis - Name of the Queen of Sheba
Banan - Delicate, finger tips
Baraka - White one
Bari'ah - Excelling
Barika - Bloom, be successful
Bashirah, Basheera - Bringer of good tidings, joy
Basimah, Baseema - Smiling
Basmah - A smile
Batul, Batool - Ascetic virgin
Bilqis - Queen of Sheeba
Bushra - Good Omen
Buthaynah, Buthayna - Of beautiful and tender body


C


Cala - Castle
Cantara - Small bridge


D


Dahab - Gold
Dalal - Treated or touched in a kind and loving way
Duha, Dhuha - Forenoon


F


Fadilah, Fadheela - Virtuous, outstanding, superior, cultured and refined
Fadwa - Name derived from self-sacrifice
Faizah - Victorious, winner
Falak - Star
Farah - Joy
Faridah, Fareeda - Unique, matchless, precious pearl or gem
Farihah, Fareeha - Happy, joyful, cheerful, glad
Fatimah, Fatima - Accustom; Daughter of the Prophet (pbuh)
Fatin or Fatinah - Captivating, alluring, enchanting
Fawziyyah, Fawziya, Fazia - Successful, victorious
Fellah - Arabian jasmine
Firyal - Name
Firdaws, Firdoos - Highest garden in Paradise


G


Ghadah - Beautiful
Ghaliyah - Fragrant
Ghaniyah - Pretty girl, beautiful woman, beauty
Ghayda - Young and delicate
Ghusun, Ghusoon - Branches of a tree


H


Habibah - Beloved, sweetheart, darling
Hadiya - Guide to righteousness
Hadiyyah - A gift
Hafsah - Wife of the Prophet (pbuh)
Hafthah - Preserved, protected
Haifa, Hayfa' - Slender, of beautiful body
Halah - Aureole
Halimah, Haleema - Gentle, patient, mild-tempered
Hamidah, Hameeda - Praiseworthy
Hana' - Happiness
Hanan - Mercy
Hanifah, Hanifa, Haneefa - True believer
Haniyyah - Pleased, happy
Hasna' - Beautiful
Hayam - Deliriously in love
Hayat - Life
Hessa - Destiny
Hibah - Gift
Hind - Proper name
Huda, Hooda - Right guidance
Huma - Bird who brings joy
Huriyyah, Hooriya - Angel
Husn - Beauty
Husniyah - Beautiful


I


Ibtihaj - Joy
Ikram - Honor, hospitality, generosity
Ilham - Intuition
Iman - Faith, belief
Imtithal - Polite obedience
In'am - Kindness, benefaction, bestowal
Inas - Sociability
Inaya - Concern; solicitude
Intisar - Triumph
Izdihar - Flourishing, blooming


J


Jala' - Clarity, elucidation
Jamilah, Jameela - Beautiful, graceful, lovely
Janan - Heart, soul
Johara - Jewel
Jumanah - Silver pearl


K


Kalila - Sweetheart, beloved
Kamilah - Perfect
Karida - Untouched
Karimah, Kareema - Generous, noble
Kawthar - River in Paradise
Khadijah, Khadeeja - First wife of the Prophet (pbuh)
Khalidah - Immortal
Khayriyyah, Khairiya - Charitable, good
Khulud, Khulood - Immortality
Kulthum, Kulthoom - Daughter of the Prophet (pbuh)


L


Lama - Darkness of lips
Lamis, Lamees - Soft to the touch
Lamya' - Of dark lips
Latifah, Lateefa - Gentle, kind, pleasant, friendly
Layla, Leila - (Born at) night
Lina, Leena - Tender
Lubabah - The innermost essence
Luloah - A pearl
Lu'lu' - Pearls


M


Madihah, Madeeha - Praiseworthy
Maha - Wild cow, cow-eyes
Ma'isah - Walking with a proud, swinging gait
Maizah - Discerning
Majidah, Majeeda - Glorious
Makarim - Of good and honorable character
Malak - Angel
Malika - Queen
Manal - Attainment, achievement
Manar - Guiding light
Maram - Asperation
Mariam, Maryam - Mother of Jesus (pbuh); Arabic form of "Mary"
Mas'ouda - Happy, lucky, fortunate
Mawiyah - The essence of life
Maymunah - Auspicious, blessed
May - Old Arabic name
Maysa' - To walk with a proud, swinging gait
Maysun, Maysoon - Of beautiful face and body
Mayyadah - To walk with a proud, swinging gait
Mufidah, Mufeeda - Useful
Muhjah - Heart's blood, soul
Muminah - Pious believer
Muna, Mona - Wish, desire
Munirah, Muneera - Illuminating, shedding light
Mushirah, Musheera - Giving counsel, advising
Muslimah - Devout believer


N


Nabihah, Nabeeha - Intelligent
Nabilah, Nabeela - Noble
Nada - Generousity, dew
Nadia - The beginning, first
Nadidah, Nadeeda - Equal, rival
Nadirah - Rare, precious
Nadwah - Councel
Nafisah, Nafeesa - Precious thing, gem
Nahlah - A drink of water
Na'ilah - Acquirer, obtainer, one who succeeds
Na'ima, Na'imah - Comfort, amenity, tranquility, peace
Najah - Success
Najat - Safety
Najibah, Najeeba - Of noble birth
Najiyah - Safe
Najla - Of wide eyes
Najwa - Confidential talk, secret conversation
Najya - Victorious
Nashida - Student
Nashita Energetic, full of life
Nashwa - Fragrance, perfume, that which intoxicates
Nasiha - One who gives valuable advice
Nasira - Victorious, helper
Nathifa - Clean, pure
Nawal - Gift
Nawar - Flower
Nazahah - Purity, righteousness, honesty
Nazihah - Honest
Nazirah - Like, equal, matching
Nibal - Arrows
Nida - Call
Ni'mah - Blessing, loan
Ni'mat - Blessings, loans
Nouf - Highest point on a mountain
Nudar, Nudhar - Gold
Nuha - Intelligence
Numa - Beautiful and pleasant
Nur, Noor - Light


Q


Qubilah - Concord


R


Rabab - White cloud
Rabi'ah - Garden, springtime
Radeyah, Radhiya - Content, satisfied
Radwa, Radhwa - A mountain in Medina
Rafa' - Happiness, prosperity
Raghd - Pleasant
Rahimah - Merciful, compassionate
Ra'idah - Leader
Raja' - Hopeful
Rana - To gaze, look
Rand - Tree of good scent
Raniyah - Gazing
Rasha - Young gazelle
Rashida, Rasheeda - Wise, mature
Rawdah, Rawdha - Garden
Rawiyah - Transmitter of ancient Arabic poetry
Rayya - Sated with drink
Rida - Favored by God
Rihana - Sweet basil
Rim, Reem - Gazelle
Rima, Reema - White antelope
Rukan - Steady, confident
Ruqayyah, Ruqaya - Gentle; Daughter of the Prophet (pbuh)
Ruwaydah - Walking gently


S


Sabah - Morning
Sabirah - Patient
Safa - Clarity, purity, serenity
Safiyyah - Untroubled, serene, pure, best friend
Sahar - Dawn
Sahlah - Smooth, soft, fluent, flowing
Saidah - Happy, fortunate
Saihah - Good, useful
Sakinah, Sakeena - God-inspired peace of mind, tranquility
Salihah - Correct, agreeable
Salimah, Saleema - Peace, flawless, faultless, safe, healthy
Salma - Peaceful
Salwa - Solace; quail
Samah - Generosity
Samar - Evening conversation
Sameh - Forgiver
Samihah, Sameeha - Generous
Samira, Sameera - Entertaining female companion
Samiyah - Elevated, exhalted, lofty
Sana' - Resplendence, brilliance; to gaze or look
Sawsan - Lily of the valley
Shadha - Aromatic
Shadiyah - Singer
Shahrazad - Teller of "Tales of 1,001 Nights"
Sharifah, Shareefa - Noble
Siham - Arrows
Souad or Su'ad
Suha - Name of a star
Suhailah, Suhaylah, Suhayla - Smooth, soft, fluent, flowing
Suhaymah - Small arrow
Suhayr, Suhair - Proper name
Sumayyah, Sumaiya - Proper name


T


Tahirah - Pure, chaste
Takiyah - Pious, righteous
Talibah - Seeker after knowledge
Tarub, Taroob - Merry
Thana' - Thankfulness
Thara' - Wealth
Thurayya - Star


U


Umayma - Little mother


W


Wafa' - Faithfulness
Wafiqah, Wafeeqa - Successful
Wafiyyah, Wafiya - Loyal, faithful
Wahibah - Giver, donor
Wajihah, Wajeeha - Eminent, distinguished
Walidah - Newborn
Warda, Wardah, Wordah - Rose
Widad - Love, friendship
Wijdan - Ecstacy, sentiment
Wisal - Communion in love


Y


Yafiah - High
Yakootah - Emerald
Yamha - Dove
Yaminah - Right and proper
Yasirah - Lenient
Yasmine, Yasmin, Yasmeen - Jasmine
Yumn - Good fortune, success
Yusra - Proper name


Z


Zafirah - Victorious, successful
Zahirah - Shining, luminous
Zahra' - White
Zahrah - Flower, beauty, star
Zainab, Zaynab - Daughter of the Prophet (pbuh)
Zakiyyah - Pure
Zaynah, Zaina - Beautiful
Zubaidah - Excellent

the beauty exposed ;